Strip serving apparatus



May 1934- R. w. PHILLIPS STRIP SERVING APPARATUS Original Filed May 12,1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 15, 1934. R. w. PHILLIPS STRIP SERVINGAPPARATUS Original Filed May 12, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet lzwezzil or: M61225W15 May 15, 1934.

R. W. PHILLIPS STRIP SERVING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original FiledMay 1930 BmseZZ WPFZtZZIJ ZJG,

vii/Eggs STRIP SERVING APPARATUS Original Filed May 2. 1930 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Fry .9 /3 a Izwenioa ElusSeZZ WPWI/pdi, by I/HAW,MCZ-MM%G Patented May 15, 1934 NITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE.

signor, by mesne assignments, to Nashua- Gummecl & Coated Paper Company,Nashua, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Continuation ofapplications Serial No. 526,659,v March 31, 1931, and Serial No.451,773, May 12, 1930. This application April '7 1932-, Serial- 30Claims.

My present invention relates to apparatus for serving ordeliveringstrip. material, such as adhesive or gummed tape and labels,particularly in connection with packaging, labeling and the like. Itaims to provide simplified, inexpensive and otherwise improved means ofthe class referred to, whereby selected and variable lengths of theadhesive or guinmed tape or like strips may be delivered from a supply,the length of material delivered generally being presented in adhesiveor moistened condition for immediate use. As to all common subjectmatter, this application is a continuation of my co-pending applicationsSerial No. 451,773, filed May 12, 1930,

i and Serial No. 526,659, filed March 31, 1931. The

claims of the present application are directed to certain elements andcombinations of elements aside from the moistening means, claims to thelatter being contained in my co-pending application Serial No. 603,777,filed April 7, 1932 and in divisional applications.

In the drawings, illustrating, by way of example, certain embodiments ofthe. invention,

Fig. l is a plan view of a strip server in. accordance with one form ofthe invention, it being shown supported in operative position as uponstore counter, table, wall or the like;

rig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal section through the device of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section on the line of Fig. 3; Figs. 5 and 6are elevations of modified forms supporting rollers;

l is a plan View corresponding to Fig. 1, il- .ting another embodimentof the invention; 8 is a side elevation of the device of 9 is a rear orleft end elevation of the def Figs. 7 and 8, upon a larger scale;

is a plan, on the. scale of Fig. 9, corresponding to the right portionof Fig. 7, but with the severing device removed to display theunderlying parts; and

edand arranged as a. relatively'narrow structure, that-is, ot'greaterheightthan width,.or: of a width not greatly exceeding that: of thewidest tape or strip it is. intended. to. handle, and. means; is;desirably provided for supporting or suspending the device in suchpositiom as. upon the edge portion of a counter, shelf, table. or thelike, or upon a wall, or the. device may be sunk into the horizontal topof a counter or the. like.

As; herein illustrated, the device, comprises. a housing or containerincluding side walls orupright members 1 connected at their lower partsby cross pieces or flooring: 2, and at: their; upper ends by a top wallor platform 3, providing a feed table, these. partsv preferably beingformed of one or more pieces of sheet. metal, stamped or otherwisefashioned. The side. walls. 1 may be cross-connected at other points,as. by the front cross member 4, Fig. 3.. At the. rear, that. is, atthe. left in Figs. 1 to 3, thedescribed housing; or receptacle is openor openable for the insertion and removal of the strip supply in theform, ,of a roll S, the described parts providing a. well for thelatter.

Suitable means. for supporting the roll S in position to be drawn uponis provided, this instance including. a. roller 5v rotatably carried, asat 6, on the side. walls. of the housing. The strip supply or roll S.rests by gravity upon this roller, and its axis is: retained in a givenvertical plane with respect to. the supporting roller as by means of afloating spindle 7 seen in elevation in Fig. 4. At points spaced the.width of the container, the spindle. 7 is provided with noncircularflattened or reduced portions 8 and 9 adapted to be received in verticalslots 10-10 in the respective container side walls 1. At the upper endsof these. slots are. the enlarged portions or eyes 11, at leastequalling in diameter that of the spindle, so. that the. latter may beentered through the eyes and through the core of the-roll S, bringingthe non-circular portions 8 and 9 of the spindle into the plane of theside wallsv 1 and in alignment with the guide slots;

The spindle desirably has. a head 12- for convenience in manipulatingit. Once the spindle is inserted with a. roll upon it, and its reducedportions have been engaged, in the. slots, the spindle is held againstunintentional withdrawal and is guided for vertical movement. The rolland spindle thus in efiect fioatv upon the under roller 5, while theroll S is permitted to turn readily upon the spindle. The tape or stripis preferably drawn off from the under face of the supportedroll, and tothe rear, as indicated at gal T in Fig. 2, in which case the describedroll supporting and guiding means automatically affords a braking actionupon the roll, preventing undesirable over-running of the latter, byreason of the frictional resistance resulting from the weight of theroll and spindle upon the roller 5. The roll S is thus in effectself-braking. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the tape in the roll S is assumedto be wound gummed side in. Should the tape be wound gummed side out, itmay be led off in the opposite direction at the bottom of the roll, thatis, to the right, and reversed back around the roller 5, or it may betaken off at the top of the roll, directly to the left.

The tape or strip T is directed upwardly from the supply over a guideroll 13 journaled in the container sides, and thence forwardly over thetop wall or platform 3, through a receiving and guiding throat providedby the latter and by the opposed inwardly extending longitudinalflanges, throat sides or strip members 14-14 on the housing.v The throatis preferably equipped with a longitudinally extending tape arching andfriction reducing means or rib-like element 14 which, together with thethroat structure as a, whole may be similar to that disclosed andclaimed in my above-mentioned copending applications. The strip or tapeis fed through the throat by the operator by placing one or more fingersupon it at the selected point on its upper face exposed between thethroat sides and moving his hand along the throat toward the deliveryend.

At or near the front end of the feed throat means is provided forcutting off the tape. The container top wall or platform 3 is continuedforwardly beyond the throat sides 14. The container sides are extendedupwardly or otherwise formed with projections or ears 1515 carrying across-bar or pin 16. Hinged on the latter, as at 17, is a forwardly anddownwardly extending guide plate or strip depressor 18, having its frontend substantially in a vertical plane with a cross slot 19 in the feedtable or platform 3.

A tape severing blade or knife 20 is adapted to be moved across the pathof the tape and downwardly through said slot, to sever the strip. Thisblade is attached as at 21 to an actuator 22 which may be generallysimilar to that of my said co-pending application Serial No. 526,659,being positioned for operation by a continuation of the operatorsstrip-feeding finger movement, in the course of a single uninterruptedand substantially uni-planular down-bearing forward movement of thelatters fingers or hand. In the present instance the cutter actuator 22is reinforced and guided by side flanges 23, the rear portions of whichstand fiatwise adjacent, and herein outside, the cars 15, and receivethe cross-pin 16, whereby the actuator is rotatably supported. Theactuator and blade are normally held in up position, substantially as inFigs. 2 and 3, by suitable spring means, herein including the spring 24of general U-shape, the forward yoke portion of which underlies anintermediate portion of the actuator. The two legs of the spring extendrearwardly, beneath studs 25 on the housing ears 15, and are turnedabout and supported on the cross pin 16 previously mentioned. The rearend of the cutter actuator 22 has a downwardly extending tail 26 adaptedto abut the tops of the side strips 14 of the throat,

or other adjacent stationary part, thereby to limitthe upward movementof the actuator.

- Inadvance of the cutting-off point the strip is conducted up to andacross suitable moistening means, being guided across the front end ofthe feed table or platform 3, between the latter and a top guide 27which forms in effect a continuation of the feed throat. This guide maybe generally similar to that disclosed and claimed in my said copendingapplication, being preferably in the form of a removable clip-likemember having down-turned feet 28 equipped with spring detents 29adapted to snap into openings or depressions in the housing walls.

It will be understood that the disclosed mechanism, in any of the formsshown, is equally adapted for use with pre-gummed strips or tape, whichare rendered adhesive by moistening, or with non-gummed strips or tapewhich it renders adhesive by application of liquid adhesive thereto, andthe terms such as gummed tape and moistening means as herein employed,both in the description and in the claims, in conformity with usage inthe art, refer to either or both such practices, that is, they refer torendering the strip adhesive, broadly, either by moistening a gummedsurface or by applying liquid adhesive to a surface not previouslygummed.

Various means may be provided, if desired, for moistening the strip. InFigs. 1 to 4 such means includes a reservoir or tank 30 having anenclosed rear portion 31 and a somewhat higher front portion 32. Thereservoir is operatively supported between the front parts of the sideframes 1 and upon a cross-member 33 extending between the latter, whereit is removably retained as by a spring member 34 having a finger piece35 whereby it may conveniently be depressed to release the reservoir.The front wall of the reservoir is turned over rearwardly and downwardlyto form an angular lip 36; and the front edge of the top wall of thelower portion of the reservoir is extended angularly upwardly as at 37in substantial parallelism with said lip, leaving a transverse openingbetween them.

The moistening element proper is illustrated as a wick or brush 38; seeparticularly Fig. 3. The brush itself may consist of a multiplicity ofbristles or hairs set into a suitable anchoring compo sition, asindicated at 38. It is removably held in the clip-like lower portion 39of the bristlesupporting plate or support 40. This latter desirablyextends substantially the full length of the bristles, to support andalign these practically to their extreme free ends. The brush and itssupporting plate 40 are received between the previously describedparallel lip portions 36, 3'7 of the reservoir, which assist inpositioning the brush moistener and in retaining it in substantially theforwardly inclined. angular position as illustrated. It will be notedthat the rear flange or lip 37 is adapted to contact the upper side faceof the group of bristles, confining and guiding them, and to a certainextent limiting the quantity of moisture which will be conductedupwardly by capillary action.

The brush may further be positively located as by means of hook-likedown-turned fingers 41, 42 at the front end of the bristle-support 40.The inner finger 41 is adapted to set down through an appropriateopening in the front lip 36 of the reservoir, while the outer finger orfingers 42 extend down over the reservoir front wall.

It will be noted that in accordance with the de- '7 bristle-supportingplate 40, may be removed while leaving the reservoir in place. Directaccess to the brush may be had merely by removing the front guide 27.The latter includes the forwardly and upwardly projecting portion 2'7directly overlying the outer end of the brush and serving to confine anddirect the free ends of the bristles to insure proper moisteningengagement between the lower face of the tape and the brush, as the tapeis passed forwardly over the latter. This front element or clip 27, 27thus may herein directly cooperate with and constitute an element of thefeed means, the severing means, and the moistening mechanism. It partlyprovides the blade-guiding front wall of the cutting slot, and assiststo press the moving blade into proper cutting position. If desired thefore edge of this element 2727 may be made to serve as a stationaryknife or severing element, against which the strip may be deflected andcut or torn on, being for that purpose serrated or otherwise formed.

In some instances, and particularly where the device is intended forhandling only strips of minimum width, the supporting under roll for thestrip supply may be cylindrical, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. Inother instances, more particu larly when the device is of a widthadapting it to dispense strips of greater than minimum width, or in anycase, the under roll may have either of the forms as illustrated inFigs. 5 and 6. In Fig. 5, for example, the peripheral surface of theroller 5 is concaved, the roller being of greater diameter at its ends 5and of decreasing diameter toward its central portion. By reason of thisconstruction tape rolls of different widths will be centered and guidedautomatically by the supporting roller.

In the further modified form of bearing roller shown in Fig. 6, theroller, indicated as a whole by the numeral 5 includes a main rollerportion 5 of a width to receive a given minimum width tape, for example,1%" or 2". At the ends of this main roller portion are cooperatingstepped portions 5 5 5 5 respectively spaced to receive and center widerrolls, for example, 2 3". It will be understood that rollers such asthose of Figs. 5 and 6 may be employed in connection with the device ofFigs. 1 to 4, with a similar selfbraking action as previously referredto.

As stated, the strip server of Figs. 1 to 4 is particularly constructedand arranged for suspension. or lateral support, in a vertical position,with or without base support. and either in a wall or in a laterallyexposed position. To this end means is provided whereby the device maybe so operatively positioned adjacent a vertical face of a counter,table, wall or the like, indicated at C in Figs. 1 1. Such means in thisinstance includes one or more bayonet slots 44, 45. in one or both sidewalls of the housing. These bayonet slots are adapted to cooperate withbuttons 16 of a bracket or like device 4"! to be secured as by screws tothe counter C or other part upon which the device is to be hung. Saidbracket is herein illustrated of general T-shape, including a leg 48having a lateral foot 49 at its lower end which is adapted to underlieand support the bottom of the housing when the buttons are in lockedposition in the respective bayonet slots. If more than one such slot isused at either side wall, two of the slots in a given wall preferablyare arranged substantially at right angles to each other, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, whereby the device is held against unintentionaldisplacement both vertically andhorizontally. When so arranged, as inFigs. 2 and 3, the device as a whole is readily removed from itssuspended or operating position as there shown, by rocking it slightlyupward at its front or right hand end, about the button in thehorizontal slot 44 as a pivot. 15 may then be withdrawn from its button,whereupon the device may be shifted rearwardly or to the left in Figs. 2and 3 sufficiently to free the horizontal slot 44 from its cooperatingbutton. By supplying similar attaching means such as the describedbayonet slots at both sides of the device, it may be selectivelysupported at either side, to deliver the tape in the desired direction.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 11, the strip serving apparatus thereillustrated is a combined or convertible counter or aisle form, adaptedfor use either in standing position upon a counter, table or the like,or in suspended position in a store aisle, upon a wall, at the edge of acounter or like locations, such as mentioned in connection with theprevious figures. In respects not otherwise mentioned the constructionmay be substantially the same as in the preceding figures.

In said Figs. '7 to 11, the frame or housing of the strip serverincludes the side frames or upright members interconnected at theirlower portions as by the cross strips 101, 192, 103, and at theirintermediate and upper portions by the floor, top wall or platform 104constituting the bottom of the tape guide channel or feed throat, andbeing preferably of the ribbed construction 10l generally similar tothat of the topwall or platform 3 of Figs. 1 to 4. Inwardly projectingflanges 105, generally similar to the members 14, 14 of the precedingfigures, serve to confine the side portions of the strip or tape andfurnish a feed slot between them for feeding access to the tape.

At the forward end of the feed channel is a tape severing blade, cutteror knife 106 having a finger or hand-en aging portion or actuator 107 ofgen-- erally similar construction as in the preceding figures. The knifeand actuator are pivotally supported as by a sleeve 107 Fig. 19, at therear of the actuator received on a pin 108 held in cars 109 upon therespective side frames lilo. A slot 110, Fig. 7, in the feed platform104. permits the blade 108 to be depressed to sever the tape. The bladeand its actuator are normally elevated by a suitable spring 111 ofgeneral U-shape, having its ends turned about the knife pivot pin 108.

As best seen in Figs. 10 and 11, the cutter lever or actuator 107,together with the blade 166, are constructed and arranged for readydismounting. This is effected merely by forcing out the pivot pin 108,axially, the latter being normally releasably held in assembled positionby th spring 111. For that purpose one or more annular grooves 112 areformed in the pin 108, disposed to receive the end or other portions ofsaid spring, as indicated at 111 in Fig. 11. While the pin and cutterare thus firmly held in place, the cutter may quickly be removed forsharpening, replacement, or to afford access to underlying parts.

The tape or adhesive strip supply in roll form is received in positionto be drawn upon, between the side frames of the housing, as indicatedat S. The roll S has a floating support upon a roller 5 as in theprevious figures, and the axis of the tape roll is confined to a givenpath, as the tape roll 55 decreases in size, by means of the slotformations 10 in the opposite side frames. Said slot formations haveenlarged portions 11 for entrance of a spindle '7 having a head 12 andreduced guide The vertical slot portions whereby it is retained againstunintentional withdrawal, as previously described.

In Fig. 8 the tape roll S is assumed to be wound with the adhesive faceof the tape outside, the

tape passing upwardly from the roll supply, as

indicated at '1, over an upper guide roll 13 journaled on the machineframe, thence through the feed channel 104, 105, past the cutter 106 andthe moistening means, to be described, for delivery as indicated by thefull line T at the right in Fig. 8.

The interior of the housing or tape well desirably is closed at the rearor left end as viewed in Figs. 7 and 3. For this purpose I haveillustrated a rear cover plate 113 pivotally supported on the sideframes near the bottom of the latter, as at 114, and extending upwardlysubstantially to the guide roll 13 The upper end of the cover 113 may berecessed or otherwise formed as at 115, Fig. 7, for engagement of theoperators finger to open it against the closing tension of a suitablespring 116, herein supported on the cover pivot 114.

It will be observed that the tape roll supporting means, the feedchannel and guides, and the tape severing means are similarlycooperatively dis posed as in the preceding figures, but with the feedchannel somewhat downwardly and forwardly inclined. As in the form ofFigs. 1 to 4, the tape may be engaged by the operators finger at anydesired point along the channel 104, 105, and is fed out past thesevering and the moistening means by forward down-bearing movement ofthe operators fin er or hand along an uninterrupted substantiallyuni-planular path, the feeding, moistening and severing operations beingeffected in the course of this single continuous manual operation.

In accordance with my invention the strip server of Figs. 7 to 11constructed and arranged for use either as a counter or table device,either upon a horizontal supporting surface, or as a suspended device asdescribed in connection with Figs. 1 to 4. Further, when used insuspended position, as in a store aisle, it may be supported so as toface and feed in either direc tion. Accordingly I have provided, at eachside of the strip server, suspending formations for cooperation withsuspension means upon the counter, wall or other part upon which thedevice is to be mounted. As best seen in Fig. 8, such suspensionformations, as herein illustrated, comprise a series of key-hole slot117, 118 and 119, on each of the side frames 100. The longitudinalcenter lines of two of these slots, herein 118 and 119, are disposedsubstantially along arcs drawn from a central point 117 at the closedend of the other slot 117 as a center. A bracket 120 is provided forattachment, as by means of screws 121, to the counter or the like C,Fig. 7. The bracket carries laterally projecting studs 122, 123, 124located to correspond with the positions of the key-hole slots 117, 118,119.

In attaching the strip server the stud 122 is first entered into thelarger end of the slot 117, and the strip server is then moved forwardlyto bring the stud into the narrower portion of said slot 117. With thefront portion of the device slightly elevated about the stud 122 as apivot, the studs 123 and 124 may then be entered into the largerportions of their corresponding slots 118 and 119, whereupon the forwardportion of the strip server may be dropped down into its operativesupported position as in Fig. 8. Subsequent removal of the strip serveris readily effected by a reverse procedure. Preferably, simi-- lar andcorrespondingly arranged key-hole slots are provided in each side frame,whereby the strip server may be mounted with its left side face adjacentthe bracket, to deliver tape toward the right, as in Fig. 8, or with itsright side face adjacent the bracket, to deliver the tape in theopposite direction. It will be understood that the slots and studs maybe interchanged, as to the element on which they are provided, and thatthe demountable suspension means may otherwise be widely varied inconstruction.

To adapt the described strip server for use as a counter type I mayprovide detachable base elements or supporting means, shown in assembledposition in Fig. 9. Herein for the purpose I have employed, as oneconvenient form, a yokelike strap or cross bar 125 having an upstandingcentral portion or shoulder 126 dimensioned for reception between theside frames 100, to which it may be removably secured as by means of thescrews or the like 127 received in apertures 128, see Fig. 8, in theadjacent portions of the side frames. The outwardly projecting portionsof this strap 125, at the two sides of the strip server, preferablycarry rubber-tipped or other supporting feet 129. Any desired number ofsuch straps and feet may be provided, disposition for two of them beingindicated in Fig. 8, at the opposite ends of the device as a whole, bymeans of the screw apertures 128. Obviously one or more of the describeddetachable base elements may have the feet centrally or otherwisearranged, or the feet may be dispensed with. Also within the scope of myinvention the side frames may themselves be interchangeable, some havingsuspension means and others provided with base elements, for useselectively in the machine as a whole.

The tape moistening means, as well as the strip supply holding means,the feed provisions and the severing means already described may besimilar in Figs 7 to 11 as in any of the preceding figures, but asillustrated in Figs. 7 to 11 the moistening means and associated partsof the tape feeding, guiding and severing means embody novel features,claims to which are contained in one or more of my said co-pendingapplications.

The moistening means, referring particularly to Figs. 7, 8 and 10,includes a tank or reservoir 130 removably received between the foreportions of the side frames and upon the cross straps 102, 103previously described. The reservoir is removably retained againstunintentional forward withdrawal as by a spring detent 34 having anoperating finger piece 35 as in the preceding figures. A stop 131projecting downwardly from the cross piece 103 and extending through acorresponding aperture in the detent 34 serves to limit the downmovement of the latter. A 1111- ing lip 132 may be provided at the frontof the reservoir. The side frames 100 may be recessed as at 130 toafford a grip on the reservoir for inserting or removing it.

The molstening means further includes a brush 133 herein comprising amultiplicity of bristles or hairs set into a suitable anchoringcomposition as at 134. The brush is adapted to be disposed with itslower portion in the reservoir and the free ends of its hairs orbristles projecting from it, but in the markedly forwardly inclinedposition, at an angle desirably substantially not greater than 45degrees with the horizontal, as described in connection with theprevious figures. In this instance the brush is provided with unitary orself-contained supporting means for retaining it at the describedoperating angle, comprising a supporting strip of plate 135 formed witha clip-like lower portion 136 in which the butt 134 of the brush isremovably but firmly held. The supporting plate 135 extends upwardly andforwardly along the under face of the brush for substantially its entirelength and at its front end is provided with an integral or other restor foot 137. One or more lips 138 may be provided at the fore part ofthe described brush unit, as by turning over the upper edge of the foot137, or a portion thereof, such lip or lips being adapted to engage overthe top of the front wall of the reservoir.

Cooperating with the described brush moistener I provide means,illustrated as of a non-friction character, for guiding the tape acrossthe brush in proper moistening relation with it. Herein for the purposeI have shown a rotatable element, which may be bodily fixed orvertically movable. As illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 10, said elementcomprises a roller 140 rotatably mounted between ears or upwardextensions 141 on the side frames 100. These ears are formed withbearing apertures or slots 142 for reception of the roller journal orbearings 143. Thus the brush-cooperative roller is supported in positionfor either fixed or vertically movable moistening cooperation with thebrush when the latter is in operative position. Rearwardly of the roller140 is a guide clip 144 having side portions holding it resiliently inposition overlying the lower portion of the feed channel, in a mannergenerally similar to the element 27 of Figs. 1 to 3. In the presentinstance the clip 144 is elongated to extend from a point rearwardly ofthe cutter 106, past the latter and substantially up to the moistenerroller 140, so as to overlie. and accurately guide the tape up to andbetween the latter and the brush. A slot 145, Fig. 7, is formed in theclip, in line with the underlying slot in the platform itself, for thedown passage of the knife 106.

The mounting or suspension means for the apparatus, for use inassociation with a support at the point of use, such as a store counter,wrapping shelf or the like, certain embodiments of which are hereinillustrated and described, is herein claimed generically and also.specifically, another embodiment thereof being disclosed and claimed inmy copending application S. N. 451,- 773, which latter application alsodiscloses and claims reversing means in connection with means forguiding astrip from aroll support. In my copending application S. N.526,659 are claims for displaceable guide means overlying the strip pathand for an overlying guide constituted as means against which the stripmay be deflected and severed, including claims generic to theembodiments of such means as herein disclosed. Strip moistening oradhesive-rendering means, of which certain embodiments are hereindisclosed, are contained in my copending application S. N. 603,777and/or in divisional applications of the latter.

My invention is not limited tothe particular illustrative embodimentsherein shown and described, its scope being set forth in the appendedclaims.

I' claim 1. In a strip serving device, a housing including a strip-rollchamber, one or more rollers rotatably supported in said chamber andadapted to receive the strip roll edgewise, a floating spindle axiallycarried by the strip roll, said spindle having an intermediate portionof a diameter to pass through the roll core, having reduced portions atopposite sides of said intermediate portion and having a manipulatinghead at one end, and opposed slot formations on the roll chamber walls,at least one of them having an enlarged part for insertion of theintermediate portion of the spindle and formations each including aguide portion for cooperation with the reduced portions of the spindle,removably to retain the spindle and strip roll in position relative tosaid roller or rollers.

2. In a strip serving device, a housing including a strip-roll chamber,one or more rollers rotatably supported in said chamber and adapted toreceive the strip roll edgewise, a floating spindle axially carried bytheroll, and means for remove ably retaining the spindle in a givenplane containing or parallel with the roller axis or axes, said rolleror rollers having peripheral strip-roll centering formations.

3. In a strip-serving device, a frame or housing including spacedupright members, strip guiding means on the frame along its upperportion, a guide roller rotatably supported between said upright membersbelow said strip guiding means and in position to conduct a stripupwardly to said guiding means, a floating spindle for rotatablyreceiving a strip supply in roll form, and spindle guiding formations onsaid uprights providing for free vertical movement of the spindle butconfining it to a given path toward or away from the axis of said guideroller and with its supported strip roll resting upon the roller,whereby the latter cooperates with a supported strip roll to tension andbrake the strip leading 01f from the bottom of the roll between it andthe roller.

4. In a strip serving device, a freely-movable rotary member adapted toguide the strip coming from a supply roll of gummed tape, a floatingspindle extending axially through the supply roll, and guide means torestrain said spindle to a given path of approach to said rotary memberand so as to enable the roll to rest with its lower peripheral portionin contact therewith, said rotary member constructed and arranged toprovide optionally for strip movement in one or the opposite directionat the lower portion of the supply roll accordingly as the tape is woundgummed face in or the reverse, and cooperating with the floating roll inthe manner of a strip braking and tensioning means.

5. In a strip serving device, a housing including a strip-roll chamber,and a roller rotatably mounted in the chamber in position to underlie astrip roll, said roller having oppositely disposed portions of similarlydecreasing diameter, the inclined surfaces of which are adapted tocooperate with strip rolls of different widths to guide and align themuniformly.

6. In a strip serving device, a housing including a strip-roll chamber,and a roller rotatably mounted in the chamber in position to underlie astrip roll, said roller having an intermediate portion of minimumdiameter and oppositely disposed stepped portions at the ends of saidintermediate portion, to receive and align rolls of different widths.

7; Mechanism for serving gummed strips from a roll, comprising, incombination, a housing including a strip-roll support, means to sever alength of strip coming from a supported.- roll, guide means to conductthe strip from the rollto the severing means, suspension formations at aside of the housing, and cooperable engaging formations adapted formounting on the support available at the place of use of the mechanism,whereby the mechanism may be operatively' suspended in use position.

8. Mechanism for serving gummed strips from a roll, comprising, incombination, a housing including a strip-roll support, means to sever alength of strip coming from a supported roll, guide means to conduct thestrip from the roll to the severing means, suspension formations at aside of the housing, and cooperable engaging formations adapted formounting on the support available at the place of use of the mechanism,whereby the mechanism may be operatively suspended in use position, saidformations including one or more projecting elements and a like numberof receiving elements therefor.

9. Mechanism for serving gummed strips from a'roll, comprising, incombination, a housing including a strip-roll support, means to sever alength of strip coming from a supported roll,

. guide means to conduct the strip from the roll to the severing means,suspension formations at both sides of the housing, and engagingformations cooperable with said suspension formations at either side ofthe housing, whereby the mechanism may be suspended to conduct the stripin one or the opposite direction.

10. Mechanism for serving gummed strips from a roll, comprising, incombination, a housing including a strip-roll support, means to sever alength of strip coming from a supported roll, guide means to conduct thestrip from the roll to the severing means, and means to suspend saidmechanism in operative position, including one or more studs or the likeand cooperable receiving formations therefor.

11. Strip serving mechanism comprising, in combination, a housingincluding a strip-roll support, means to sever a length of strip comingfrom a supported roll, guide means to conduct the strip from the roll tothe severing means, and means to suspend said mechanism in operativeposition, including a bracket having a lateral projection to underlie afixed portion of the mechanism hous- 12. Strip serving mechanismcomprising, in combination, a housing including a strip-roll support,means to sever a length of strip coming from a supported roll, guidemeans to conduct the strip from the roll to the severing means, and

,, means to suspend said mechanism in operative position, including abracket having a lateral projection to underlie a fixed portion of themechanism housing, and other interengaging formations on the bracket andhousing.

13. Mechanism for serving gummed strips from a roll, comprising, incombination, a housing in-- cluding a strip-roll support, means to severa length of strip coming from a supported roll, guide means to conductthe strip from the roll to the severing means, and means to suspend saidmechanism in operative position, including a plurality of. studs and alike number of elongated studreceiving formations in a side wall of thehousing.

14. Strip serving mechanism comprising, in

combination, a housing including a strip-roll support, means to sever alength of strip coming from a supported roll, guide means to conduct thestrip from the roll to the severing means, and means to suspend saidmechanism in operative position, including a plurality of studs and alike number of elongated stud-receiving formations,

one of said stud-receiving formations having its center line disposedsubstantially along an arcs'truck from an end portion of another of saidformations.

15. Strip serving mechanism comprising, in combination, a housingincluding a strip-roll support, means to sever a length of stripcomingfrom a supported roll, guide means to conduct the strip from the roll tothe severing means, and means to suspend said mechanism in operativeposition, including a plurality of studs and a like number of elongatedstud-receiving formations, one of said stud-receiving formations beingconstructed and arranged to receive its stud in one end of saidformation and then to permit rotative movement of the housing about thestud previously entered in another formation, to bring the housing tooperative suspended position.

16. Strip serving mechanism comprising, in combination, a housingincluding a strip-roll support, means to sever a length of strip comingfrom a supported roll, guide means to conduct the strip from the roll tothe severing means, base means associated with the housing operativelyto support it upon a substantially horizontal surface, and suspensionmeans alternatively to mount the housing in operative position otherwisethan solely by base support.

17. Strip serving mechanism comprising, in combination, a housingincluding a strip-roll support, means to sever a length of strip comingfrom a supported roll, guide means to conduct the strip from the roll tothe severing means, means to suspend the housing in operative position,and demountable base supporting means for alternative operativepositioning of the housing.

18. A strip serving device comprising, in combination, a housingincluding side frames and transverse means connecting them, strip-rollsupporting means between the side frames, strip severing means carriedby the housing, guide means to conduct the strip from the roll to thesevering means, one or more base elements adapted to support said sideframes, and means associated with said side frames and said base elementor elements for demountably attaching the latter.

19. A strip serving device comprising, in combination, a housingincluding side frames and transverse means connecting them, strip-rollsupporting means between the side frames, strip severing means carriedby the housing, guide means to conduct the strip from the roll to thesevering means, one or more base elements adapted to support said sideframes, and means associated with said side frames and said base elementor elements for demountably attaching the latter, one or both of saidside frames having alternative formations for suspending the housing,independently'of said base element or elements.

20. A strip serving device comprising, in combination, a housingincluding side frames and transverse means connecting them, a strip-rollchamber between the side frames, means to support a strip roll in draftposition in said chamber, a strip guide channel at the upper portion ofthe side frames and constituting a connecting and top closure elementbetween them, a guide roller journaled between the side frames, abovethe strip-roll chamberand at the rear end of said strip guide channel,and a rear cover element for said chamber, mounted on the side framesfor movement to roll-receiving or to chamber-closing positions.

21. In a strip serving device having a frame, strip-roll supportingmeans on the frame, strip guide means for conducting the strip from asupported roll for delivery, a cutter overlying the strip path, anactuator for depressing the cutter to sever the strip, a pivot pin forthe cutter actuator, supports on the frame for removably carrying saidpivot pin, and spring means releasably to hold the pin inactuator-supporting position on its supports whereby the actuator mayreadily be dismounted by removal of said pin.

22. In a strip serving device having a frame, strip-roll supportingmeans on the frame, strip guide means for conducting the strip from asupported roll for delivery, a cutter overlying the strip path, anactuator for depressing the cutter to sever the strip, a pivot pin forthe cutter actuator, supports on the frame for re movably carrying saidpivot pin, a spring for normally elevating the actuator and having aportion supported on said pivot pin, and means on the pin whereby saidspring retains the latter against displacement relative to its supports.

23. In a strip serving device having a frame, strip-roll supportingmeans on the frame, strip guide means for conducting the strip from asupported roll for delivery, a cutter overlying the strip path, anactuator for depressing the cutter to sever the strip, a pivot pin forthe cutter actuator, supports for the pivot pin on the frame, and astrip guide to overlie the path of the strip adjacent the cutter, saidguide having a portion pivotally associating it with said pivot pin.

24. In a strip serving device having a frame, strip-roll supportingmeans on the frame, strip guide means for conducting the strip from asupported roll for delivery, a cutter overlying the strip path, anactuator for depressing the cutter to sever the strip, a pivot pin forthe cutter actuator, supports for the pivot pin on the frame, and astrip guide di placeably received on the frame and overlying the path ofthe strip from a point adjacent said pivot pin to a point beyond thecutter, in the direction of strip delivery, said guide having atransverse slot formation for the passage of the cutter in severing thestrip.

25. A device for serving lengths of adhesive strip material comprising astrip-roll support, a guide through which a length of material may bedrawn off from the supported roll and delivered for use, said supportand guide together forming parts of a relatively narrow uprightstructure, and formations on said structure for cooperation withsupporting means adapted for attachment at the edge of a store counteror the like, whereby said structure may be mounted in operative positionon such counter or the like.

26. A device for serving lengths of adhesive strip material comprising aframe or housing adapted to support a strip roll to be drawn upon andequipped with strip severing means, a guide to conduct the strip fromthe roll to and past said means, and attaching means on the framecooperable with receiving means adapted for mounting on a store counteror the like whereby the strip-serving device may be operativelysuspended at a vertical side of such counter or the like.

27. In combination, in a strip serving device including a support for astrip supply, strip severing means and a strip conducting guide betweenthe supply support and the severing means, and supporting formations onthe device at one longitudinal side thereof cooperable with receivingformations for attachment to a counter, wall or like vertical support,whereby the device may be suspended in operative position, as contrastedwith mere superposition on a counter top.

28. Apparatus for serving lengths of adhesive strip material,comprising, in combination, a frame, means to support a supply roll ofthe strip material, strip guide means to conduct and deliver striplengths from a supported roll, and engaging means on the apparatus fordetachable association with a. support at the point of use of theapparatus.

29, A device for serving lengths of adhesive strip material comprising astrip-roll support, a

guide through which a length of material may be drawn off from thesupported roll and delivered for use, said support and guide togetherforming parts of a relatively narrow structure, and attach ingformations on said structure whereby it may be mounted in operativeposition on a store counter, table, wrapping shelf, or the like at alevel below or substantially in the plane of the top of such counter,shelf, or the like.

30. Mechanism for serving gummed strips from a roll, comprising, incombination, a housing in- 1 eluding a strip-roll upport, means to severa length of strip coming from a supported roll, guide means to conductthe strip from the roll to the severing means, attaching formations onthe housing, and securing means cooperable with said forinations w.-.ereby the mechanism may be operatively mounted at a working level belowor substantially coplanular with the working surface of a counter,wrapping shelf, table or the like in

